Elder Lin was a veteran revolutionary. He made great contributions to the country’s nation-building efforts. The people in the central government respected him for his contributions.

  Even though they wished that Elder Lin would continue to serve the country and not to retire, they would not ask him to stay if he was not willing.

  Therefore, it was almost impossible for Elder Lin to stay in the capital.

  However, to their surprise, everything changed because of a young lady who came to the capital for her college studies after her college entrance examination. The people in the central government saw a glimmer of hope in this sticky situation.

  Shi Peng, who was given a kick by Elder Lin, did not mind. Instead, he dusted off the footprints on his pants calmly. “Apart from your disciple who is kept in the dark, there are many people who play a part in this. The timing is such a coincidence.”

  Elder Lin looked solemn. “I am already advanced in years. If I retire, I would be giving the opportunities to the younger generation. I am getting older and muddleheaded. Do you understand?”

  “Understood.” Shi Peng nodded. “But you are very experienced.”

  If Elder Lin worked for the central government, he would not be handling everything by himself. His inputs and opinions would be highly valued, especially with regards to sensitive issues.

  “Elder Lin, from the day Qiao Nan married Zhai Sheng, you should have expected that there will be a day like this. There is no way that you can avoid it.”

  It was impossible for a thing to exist without its basis.

  Qiao Nan was the daughter-in-law of the Zhai family. If Elder Lin helped the Zhai family, it would be helping Qiao Nan. A simple house would not solve all the problems that Qiao Nan would face.

  Elder Lin was at a loss for words.

  No matter what, Elder Lin was glad that he had Qiao Nan as his disciple. She was like a daughter and granddaughter to him. He wanted to protect her and take good care of her. He had mixed emotions. “What about the Zhu family?”

  “Chief Zhu regarded Qiao Nan as his daughter. He would definitely do something about it.”

  “If all the families go to the capital, aren’t they afraid that they would be wiped out all at once?” Elder Lin had mixed emotions seeing that his disciple had such a huge influence.

  \r \r \r

  Shi Peng smiled lightly and put the chess pieces aside. “The Lee family is still in Ping Cheng.”

  To be wiped out all at once?

  It would not be that easy.

  “Let me think about it.”

  “Okay, Elder Lin. I won’t disturb you.” Shi Peng knew that he should not go on anymore, and he left with his wife.

  Think about it?

  It was most likely that he wanted to put things off.

  Elder Lin must be thinking to put off returning to the capital as long as possible. People used to say that as one aged, one became more and more like a child. He was indeed acting like a child.

  “Shi Peng, does Qiao Nan have such a huge influence?” Feng Cheng, who sat beside Shi Peng, was on pins and needles. As someone who was in their social circle, Feng Cheng understood that Qiao Nan had changed the entire situation in the capital.

  If it was in the past, Feng Cheng would feel that this was simply a joke.

  Shi Peng drove the car while he replied, “Feng Cheng, I have told you everything. You should be able to understand my reasons for bringing you with me to visit Elder Lin. You should have a serious thought about whether you want to continue to be the obedient daughter of the Feng family or to be my supportive wife and Qing Qing’s loving mother.”

  Once Elder Lin and Chief Zhu went to the capital, the entire situation in the capital would be full of tension.

  The Feng family was always up to trouble. Shi Peng had to be prepared for the worst. If the Feng family was embroiled in the affairs and the entire Feng family was implicated, Shi Peng had to know what he should do to cut losses.

  Shi Peng had come so far. He did not rely on the Shi family or the Feng family. He made it to today due to his hard work.

  That was why Shi Peng cherished and valued his hard work and achievements, and he would not allow anyone to destroy his hard work.

  One had to let go at times in order to get one wanted. He would have to make his choices at the critical juncture.

  Feng Cheng panicked. “Is it that serious? Shi Peng, don’t give me a scare. The Feng family will not be reckless.”

  There was total silence in the car. Shi Peng did not bother to give Feng Cheng an answer.

  Qiao Nan had no idea what was happening in Ping Cheng. She never expected that she would have such a significant influence.

  She was just an ordinary student. When school reopened, Qiao Nan reported back to school. She paid her tuition fees and collected her study materials.

  “Qiao Nan, the name list for the scholarship is out.”

  Qiao Nan had good time management. She spent the entire winter break on her wedding. Once she was back to school, she was focused on catching up with her studies.

  As soon as the school library was opened, Qiao Nan would spend a long time studying at the library.

  “Vice President Xu?” Qiao Nan was surprised that Xu Shengnan was looking for her. “Why are you here at the library?” Vice President Xu should be worrying about her internship.

  “This is the library. It is inconvenient for us to talk here. Come with me to the club office.” Xu Shengnan pulled Qiao Nan along with her, not giving her a chance to refuse.

  Qiao Nan was not her match, so she had no choice but to pass half of her books to Xu Shengnan while she carried the other half and followed her to the activity room of the new English club. “What is wrong? Didn’t you say that the name list for the scholarship is out?”

  “That’s right. Congratulations. You have been awarded the school-based first-prize scholarship. Shouldn’t you give us a treat? Xu Shengnan was really surprised by Qiao Nan’s outstanding performance.

  She knew that Qiao Nan was smart, but she did not expect that she would be extraordinarily smart.

  “You should have been awarded the scholarship as well, am I right?” Qiao Nan stacked her books properly and flipped open the book that she had been reading previously. She did not sound the least surprised or exhilarated at the news.

  “You received a school-based scholarship, while I did not. I only received a general scholarship.” Xu Shengnan snorted. “I have checked that you have a very high score. The professors have awarded you a high score for doing well in the exams. You also scored a high score for the social practice. Qiao Nan, are you a superman?”

  Qiao Nan truly deserved to be awarded the school-based first-prize scholarship.

  This was Xu Shengnan’s third year in the school. There were seldom such high performing students in school.

  It was a different feeling when one’s favorite junior was a top student. “From the looks of it, you have no idea what I am talking about. All you need to know is that it is not as easy to be awarded the school-based scholarship. When one is too outstanding, one will be the target of envy and jealousy. You have been through the kept woman scandal last year. Now that you received the school-based first-prize scholarship, people will be jealous of you. You must not take issue or be affected. You must keep up the good work.”

  Xu Shengnan came looking for Qiao Nan on the first day of school and had a private talk with her as she was worried that Qiao Nan would not be able to take the public opinion and that her studies would be affected.

  Xu Shengnan had seen many such cases.

  “Stop staring. Your eyeballs might just fall out.”